Retrofit Attachments for Water Treatment Systems

ABSTRACT

In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a retrofit for existing water treatment systems where the retrofit includes at least one of the following: a particulate separator, a supplementary inlet, and a waveform disk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment, the invention includes a water treatment system combined with at least one of the following: a particulate separator, a supplementary inlet, and a waveform disk-pack turbine.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/295,732, filed on Oct. 17, 2016, which was acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/240,397,filed Feb. 23, 2014, which was a national stage application of PCTApplication No. PCT/US2012/052367, filed Aug. 24, 2012, which claims thebenefit of U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 61/526,834, filed Aug.24, 2011 entitled “Water Treatment System and Method for Use in StorageContainers” and U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 61/604,502, filedFeb. 28, 2012 entitled “Retrofit Attachments for Water TreatmentSystems”, which are hereby all incorporated by reference.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention in at least one embodiment relates to an improvementand/or add-on for water systems having at least one discharge port influid communication with a chamber housing a disk-pack. In a furtherembodiment, the invention relates to the resulting possiblecombinations. The invention in at least one other embodiment relates toa disk-pack turbine.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides in a first embodiment a system for attaching to adevice having an accumulation chamber with at least one discharge portand a disk-pack such that a fluid pathway exists from a center of thedisk-pack through the disk-pack into the accumulation chamber and ontothe at least one discharge port, the system including a connectionmember having a passageway capable of being in fluid communication withthe discharge port, a discharge module having a discharge chamber influid communication with the passageway, and a particulate dischargeport in fluid communication with the discharge chamber. The inventionprovides in a second embodiment a water treatment system including amotor; a driveshaft engaging the motor; a vortex module having ahousing, a plurality of inlets spaced around the periphery of thehousing near a top of the housing, and a vortex chamber formed in thehousing and in fluid communication with the plurality of inlets; adisk-pack module having a housing having a accumulation chamber formedin the disk-pack housing, and the accumulation chamber having aplurality of discharge ports providing a fluid pathway from theaccumulation chamber to outside of the disk-pack housing, and adisk-pack having an expansion chamber formed in an axial center and influid communication with the vortex chamber, the disk-pack having aplurality of spaced apart disks providing chambers between them to forma plurality of passageways between the expansion chamber and theaccumulation chamber, the disk-pack engaging the driveshaft; and aparticulate separator including a connection member having a passagewaycapable of being in fluid communication with the discharge port, adischarge module having a discharge chamber in fluid communication withthe passageway, and a particulate discharge port in fluid communicationwith the discharge chamber. The invention provides in a modification tothe system of the second embodiment a system further including an intakemodule having a intake housing with at least one intake opening passingthrough it into an intake chamber formed in the intake housing, and aplurality of ports in fluid communication with the intake chamber, eachof the plurality of ports is in fluid communication with one inlet ofthe vortex module.

The invention provides a third embodiment to any of the previousembodiments where the system further includes a second discharge modulehaving a second discharge chamber in fluid communication with thedischarge chamber and/or a discharge outlet in fluid communication withthe second discharge chamber. The invention provides a fourth embodimentto the third embodiment where the second discharge module rises above aheight of the attached device. The invention provides a fourthembodiment to any of the previous embodiments where the discharge moduleincludes at least one spiraling protrusion along a surface of thedischarge chamber running from proximate to a junction of the passagewayand the discharge chamber. The invention provides a modification to thefourth embodiment where the spiraling protrusion runs in an upwardlydirection towards the discharge outlet and/or the spiraling protrusionruns in a downwardly direction from proximate to the junction towardsthe particulate discharge port. The invention provides a furthermodification to the previous embodiment where the spiraling protrusionruns along a surface of the second discharge chamber. The inventionprovides a further modification to the fourth embodiment and itsmodifications where the at least one of the at least one spiralingprotrusion spirals in a counterclockwise direction when viewed fromabove and/or the at least one of the at least one spiraling protrusionspirals in a clockwise direction when viewed from above. The inventionprovides a fifth embodiment to any of the previous embodiments where theconnection member is adapted to attach to the device to provide a smoothfluid flow from the discharge port to the passageway. The inventionprovides a sixth embodiment to any of the previous embodiments where thesystem further includes a supplementary inlet capable of attaching to asecond discharge port of the device. The invention provides amodification to the sixth embodiment where the supplementary inletincludes an inlet passageway, and a valve within the inlet passageway tocontrol a flow of fluid through the inlet passageway. The inventionprovides a modification to the sixth embodiment or its modificationwhere the supplementary inlet includes a manual controlled valve and/oran electrically controlled valve.

The invention provides in a seventh embodiment a disk-pack turbineincluding a top rotor having an axially centered opening passingtherethrough, a plurality of disks having a substantially even thicknessthroughout that has a thickness as discussed in this disclosure and atleast two waveforms present on each disk, each disk having an axiallycentered opening passing therethrough, a bottom rotor axially centeredwith the top rotor and the plurality of disks, and at least oneconnection component connecting the top rotor, the plurality of disksand the bottom rotor. The invention provides an eighth embodiment to theseventh embodiment where each of the disks is stamped metal. Theinvention provides a ninth embodiment to either of the previousembodiments where the at least two waveform is selected from a groupconsisting of circular, sinusoidal, biaxial, biaxial sinucircular, aseries of interconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnectedarcuate forms, hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations ofthese. The invention provides a tenth embodiment to any of the sevenththrough ninth embodiments where the at least two waveforms are formed bya plurality of ridges (or protrusions or rising waveforms), grooves, anddepressions (or descending waveforms) in the waveform surface includingthe features having different heights and/or depths compared to otherfeatures and/or along the individual features. The invention provides aeleventh embodiment to any of the other embodiments in this paragraphwhere the plurality of disks define at least one disk chamber throughwhich fluid is capable of passing from the axially centered opening to aperiphery of the disks. The invention provides a twelfth embodiment toany of the other embodiments in this paragraph where the plurality ofopenings defines an expansion chamber. The invention provides athirteenth embodiment to any of the other embodiments in this paragraphwhere the top rotor is capable of fluid engagement or communication witha vortex chamber of a device into which the disk-pack turbine isinstalled. The invention provides a fourteenth embodiment to any of theother embodiments in this paragraph where the disk-pack turbine furtherincludes a plurality of spacers each having a hexagonal opening passingtherethrough, and wherein each of the at least one connection componentis a hexagonal support member that passes through a respective hexagonalopening present in each disk and at least one spacer between neighboringdisks.

The invention in a further embodiment includes the modes of operation ofthe above-described embodiments.

Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the systemshould become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. The use of cross-hatching (or lackthereof) and shading within the drawings is not intended as limiting thetype of materials that may be used to manufacture the invention.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a variety of views of a particulate separatorembodiment according to the invention. FIGS. 2 and 6 illustratetransparent views of the particulate separator embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict top views of an embodiment according to theinvention. FIG. 7C depicts a side view of a connection point in anembodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a supplemental inlet embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative particulate separator embodimentaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 10A-11 illustrate particulate separator embodiments attached towater treatment systems according to the invention.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate cross-sections taken at 12-12 in FIG. 10A ofdifferent particulate collection container embodiments according to theinvention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a further precipitate collection containerembodiment according to the invention.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a further precipitate collection containerembodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 17A illustrates an alternative wing shim embodiment installed in apartial disk-pack. FIG. 17B illustrates a side view of a support memberof the wing shim illustrated in FIG. 17A. FIG. 17C illustrates a topview of a support member of the wing shim illustrated in FIG. 17A.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine exampleaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 19A-19E illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine example accordingto at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 20A and 20B depict images of the water after it exits thedischarge outlet of a prototype built according to at least oneembodiment of the invention.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures illustrate example embodiments according to the invention.The illustrated embodiments are for attachment to a system treatingwater contained in a storage container (or vessel). In at least onefurther embodiment, the system includes a water treatment system withone or more of the attachments attached to it. Although the non-limitingembodiments described herein are directed at water, water should beunderstood as an example of a fluid, which covers both liquids and gasescapable of flowing through a system.

The water treatment systems in at least one embodiment are placed into avessel (or storage container or water source or environment). As used inthis disclosure, “vessel”, for example, includes jars, bowls, buckets,containers, tanks, swimming pools, fountains, stream-fed vernal ponds,ponds, canals, streams, rivers, domestic water wells, irrigationditches, irrigation reservoirs, evaporative air conditioning systems,and industrial process water systems. In other embodiments, the watertreatment system discharges the fluid into a second vessel. In furtherembodiments, the water treatment system pulls fluid from a vessel viaconduit or other passageways and/or discharges through addition conduitor other passageways back to the source vessel. The water treatmentsystems in at least one embodiment are for treating water that isrelatively free of debris such as water present in water storagecontainers and systems, pools, industrial process systems, coolingtowers and systems, municipal and/or tanker supplied water, and wellwater. The various vessels, containers, and arrangements are examples ofenvironments from which water can be drawn.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate an example embodiment according to the invention.The illustrated embodiment is for attachments to a water treatmentsystem 85 (see, e.g., FIGS. 10A-11) having a chamber housing a disk-packturbine having a plurality of disks capable of spinning within thechamber and where the chamber includes at least two discharge ports.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/213,614 published as U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2012/0048813 provides examples of such water treatment systemsand is hereby incorporated by reference for those teachings. Theattachments include a particulate separator with or without aparticulate collection container and/or a supplemental port with avalve. As used in this disclosure, particulate includes, for example,particulate, precipitated matter and/or concentrated solids or othersimilar material discharged from a separation process that is capable offlowing through a conduit.

The water treatment systems 85 include a disk-pack turbine having aplurality of disks contained in it and the disks and/or rotors define anexpansion chamber axially centered in the disk-pack turbine. Waterenters into the disk-pack turbine through at least in part the expansionchamber before flowing out between the disks and/or rotors into anaccumulation chamber defined by a housing. The disk-pack turbine rotateswithin the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber gathers thewater after it has passed through the disk-pack turbine. The highlyenergetic water smoothly transitions to be discharged at low pressureand velocity through at least one discharge port 232 extending away fromthe accumulation chamber. In at least one embodiment, a particulateseparator is attached to at least one discharge port 232 to allow waterto flow from the discharge port 232 through the particulate separatorinto the environment from which the water was taken.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate an example of a particulate separator and dischargeenhancer (or particulate separator) 800 that includes a connectionmember 810 having a passageway 812 running from its free end into ahousing 820 having a discharge module 830 and an optional seconddischarge module 840. In at least one alternative embodiment asillustrated, the discharge module 830 and the second discharge module840 are integrally formed together the housing 820 that defines anexpanding diameter cavity for discharging the water from the system. Inat least one embodiment, the particulate separator 800 further augmentsthe spin and rotation of the water being discharged as the water movesupwards in an approximately egg-shaped compartment. In at least oneembodiment, the shape of the discharge chamber 832 facilitates thecreation of a vortex exit flow for material out through the particulatedischarge port 834 and a vortex exit flow for the water out through thedischarge outlet 844 forming multiple vortical solitons that float upand away from the discharge outlet 844 spinning and in many casesmaintaining a relative minimum distance amongst themselves asillustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B. The vortical solitons in thisembodiment continue in motion in the container in which they aredischarged until they are interrupted by another object.

The connection member 810 connects to the existing discharge port 232 ofthe water treatment system through, for example, press-fit, adhesive,screw engagement, and clamped engagement to establish a fluid pathwayfrom the accumulation chamber into the housing 820. FIGS. 10A-11illustrate an example of the particulate separator 800 attached to awater treatment system 85. In an alternative embodiment, an adaptor isused to provide the connection between the discharge port 232 and theparticulate separator 800, which in at least one embodiment provides asubstantially smooth passageway from the accumulation chamber of thewater treatment system 85 into the connection member 810 to minimize thecreation of extraneous turbulence. The connection member 810 in at leastone embodiment includes a threaded end for securing a collar to it forattachment to a water treatment system. In at least one embodiment, themember used to attach the connection member 810 to the water treatmentsystem also provides a smooth transition to change the cross-section ofthe overall passageway from the discharge port 232 to the passageway812.

Although the connection member 810 is depicted in, for example, FIGS.3-5 as having an elbow when viewed from above, it should be understoodfrom this disclosure that the connection member 810 may have a varietyof approaches into the housing 820 including, for example, a more spiral(or arcing) approach than that illustrated or a straighter approach thatcould be less tangential. FIG. 9 provides an example of another shapefor the connection member 810′. Additionally, the cross-section of thepassageway 812 may have a variety of shapes including, for example,oval, circular (FIG. 1), and elliptical.

The housing 820 includes a discharge module 830 that is in fluidcommunication with the passageway 812 of the connection member 810. Thedischarge module 830 includes a discharge chamber 832 that furtheraugments the spin and rotation of the water entering from the passageway812 as the water moves upwards through the discharge chamber 832 towardsthe second discharge module 840 having a discharge chamber 842 in fluidcommunication with the discharge chamber 832. In at least oneembodiment, this movement further assists in revitalizing the water andsimulates rotational movement that occurs in flowing waterways innon-smooth natural beds.

The discharge chamber 832 includes a particulate discharge port 834 thatconnects to a conduit 890 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9) to remove theparticulate that has precipitated out of the water during processing inat least the particulate module 830 and to route it away from the systemin at least one embodiment. FIG. 7C illustrates an example of how theparticulate discharge port 834 and the conduit 890 may be connectedtogether.

In at least one embodiment as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4-6,the discharge chamber 832 includes at least one spiraling protrusion8322 that extends from just above (or proximate) the intake (ordischarge port or junction between the passageway 812 and the dischargechamber 832) 8324 into the discharge chamber 832 up through or at leastto the discharge outlet 844 to encourage additional rotation in thewater prior to discharge. In at least one embodiment, the spiralingprotrusion 8322 extends up through the discharge outlet 844. Thespiraling protrusion 8322 in at least one embodiment spirals upward in acounterclockwise direction when viewed from above; however, based onthis disclosure it should be appreciated that the direction of thespiral could be clockwise, for example, if these system were used in thesouthern hemisphere.

In at least one embodiment, the discharge chamber 832 includes at leastone (second or particulate) spiraling protrusion 8326 that extends fromjust below and/or proximate to the intake 8324 down through thedischarge chamber 832 towards the particulate discharge port 834 asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 6. When viewed from above, forexample, in FIG. 4, the spiraling protrusion 8326 spirals in acounter-clockwise direction; however, based on this disclosure it shouldbe appreciated that the direction of the spiral could be clockwise, forexample, if the system were used in the southern hemisphere. Based onthis disclosure, it should be understood that one or both of thespiraling protrusions 8322, 8326 could be used in at least oneembodiment. In an alternative embodiment to the above protrusionembodiments, the protrusions are replaced by grooves formed in thedischarge chamber wall.

As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the discharge chamber's832 diameter shrinks as it approaches the upper discharge chamber 842,which as illustrated includes a long radii expanding back out todecompress the discharged water for return to the storage tank or otherwater source. In an alternative embodiment, the long radii beginsproximate to the intake 8324 in the discharge chamber 832. Thisstructure in at least one embodiment provides for a convergence of theflow of water prior to a divergence back out of the flow of water.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the construction of the connectionmember 810′ and the housing 820. The connection member 810′ and thehousing 820 are illustrated as being integrally formed. In at least oneembodiment, the housing 820 includes a bottom part 822 and a middle part824. The middle part 824 that includes the top parts of the connectionmember 810 and the discharge module 830. The bottom part 822 is attachedto the middle part 824. The second discharge module 840 is illustratedas a separate part that fits on the top of the middle part 824 toestablish fluid communication between the discharge chamber 832 and thedischarge chamber 842. As discussed earlier in connection with theconnection member 810, there are a variety of ways that the lower part822, the middle part 824 and the second discharge module 840 may befitted together including, for example, friction fit, connection memberssuch as bolts or clamps particularly if matching flanges are present onthe lower part 822 and the middle part 824, adhesive, mechanicalstructure such as threaded connection areas for connecting the seconddischarge module 840 to the middle part 824, etc. Based on thisdisclosure, it should be appreciated that a variety of parts could beused to assembly a particulate separator other than that illustrated inthe figures and described, for example, in this paragraph.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are pictures taken looking into the discharge chamber832 through the discharge outlet 844. FIG. 7A provides a nice view ofthe spiraling protrusion 8326 running down the discharge chamber 832 tothe sediment discharge port 834.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an example of how the particulate separator800 would look when attached to a water treatment system 85. FIG. 10Aillustrates a pair of views looking down on the combination while FIG.10B is a side view. These figures also illustrate an example of how asupplement inlet 860 would look attached to a second discharge port 232of the water treatment system and how the sediment container 600 wouldlook attached to the particulate separator 800. Although these figuresillustrate one particulate separator 800 attached to the water treatmentsystem 85, it should be understood from this disclosure that bothdischarge ports 232 could be attached to a respective particulateseparator 800. In a further embodiment, both particulate separators 800could be attached to the same sediment container 600 through either aY-connection point or two separate conduits 890 running into respectivesediment containers 600. In another embodiment, each particulateseparator 800 would have a separate sediment container 600. In a furtherembodiment, the sediment container 600 is view as an option for one orboth particulate separators 800.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example particulate separator 800A thatincludes a taller second discharge module 840A that provides anadvantage over the prior embodiments of dispensing the water into thewater container at a point above the attached water system 85.

Based on this disclosure, it should be understood that the dischargechamber 842 may take a variety of other shapes than that illustrated inthe figures (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7B, 9, and 11) that will stillfacilitate the movement of water up and through the discharge chamber842. Further examples include cylindrical, hourglass, different forms oflong radii, and/or combination of these examples. In at least oneembodiment, the discharge chamber provides for a gradual expansion ofthe discharge chamber as it approaches the top to encourage movementoutwards of the discharged water.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a supplemental inlet 860 for attachmentto a discharge port 232 to augment the water present in the accumulationchamber beyond that provided through the disk-pack turbine. Thesupplemental inlet 860 includes a valve 864 to control the level ofaugmentation. Although the value 864 is illustrated as being a manualvalve, it should be understood based on this disclosure that the valvecould be electronically controlled in at least one embodiment through,for example, an electrical controller that also in at least oneembodiment controls operation of the disk-pack turbine in the attachedwater system. In at least one embodiment, the supplemental valve cancontrol the amount of supplemental fluid flow into the accumulationchamber. In at least one embodiment, the supplemental inlet 860 isattached to a discharge port 232 through, for example, press-fit,adhesive, screw engagement, and clamped engagement to establish a fluidpathway into the accumulation chamber from the supplemental inlet 860when the valve is in at least a partially open position.

In a further embodiment, the supplemental valve and the discharge porthousing are incorporated into the water treatment system having a vortexmodule 100, a disk-pack turbine module 200, and a motor/intake module300 (although illustrated as being combined as one module, the motor andthe intake could be separate modules). The vortex module 100 includes avortex chamber with a plurality of intakes 132. The disk-pack turbinemodule 200 is as above-described. The motor/intake module 300 includes amotor that is rotational engagement with the disk-pack turbine and anintake chamber that is fed by an inlet and discharges the fluid outthrough a plurality of outlets 322 that feed respective inlets 132 ofthe vortex chamber. In at least one embodiment, the fluid flow from theintake chamber encourages the formation of a vortex in the vortexchamber. The previously mentioned U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/0048813describes examples of water treatment systems that could be modified toincorporate the supplemental valve and/or the particulate separator, andthis patent application is incorporated hereby reference for itsteachings relating to water treatment systems. In further embodiments,the illustrated examples in the incorporated patent application aremodified such that the discharge ports are angled into (or extend alonga tangential or spiral curve away from) the accumulation chamber. In afurther embodiment, the angle at which the discharge ports communicatewith the accumulation chamber is substantially tangential to therotational flow of fluid discharged from the disk-pack chambers.

In at least one embodiment the supplemental valve is used as amodification to a system without the particulate separator. In anotherembodiment the particulate separator is used as a modification to asystem without the supplemental valve.

FIGS. 10A-14 illustrate different optional precipitate collectionmodules 600 having a precipitate collection container 620 according tothe invention. FIGS. 10A-11 illustrate an example of a precipitatecollection container 620 connected to a particulate separator 800, 800A;however, based on this disclosure it should be appreciated that thedifferent precipitate collection modules 600 could be attached to thevarious embodiments discussed in this disclosure along with other watertreatment systems having a precipitate discharge component. One ofordinary skill in the art should realize that the precipitate collectioncontainer 620 can take a variety of shapes and forms beyond thatillustrated in FIGS. 10A-16B while still providing a cavity 622 toreceive, for example, particulate, precipitated matter and/orconcentrated solids or similar material and a screened discharge (orscreen) 624 such as that illustrated on an exit port 626. In analternative embodiment, the raised portion is a taller pipe structure(or riser) 626C extending up from the rest of the precipitate collectioncontainer 620C as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 15. In theillustrated embodiments of FIGS. 12-14, a screen 624 is included atleast in part to allow for water to pass through while preventing thematerial from passing back out into the water being processed.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate cross-sections of example embodiments for theprecipitate collection container 620 where the cross-section is taken at12-12 in FIG. 10A. FIGS. 12-14 illustrate an inlet 621 at the end of theprecipitate collection container 620 opposite where the screen 624and/or exit port 626 are located. Based on this disclosure, it should beappreciated that the exit port 626 extending above the cover 628 may beomitted. FIG. 12 illustrates the precipitate collection container 620having an inlet 621 through which the conduit 592 attaches to provide afluid pathway into the cavity 622 to allow for the accumulation ofmaterial in the bottom of the precipitate collection container 620 whilewater is allowed to exit from the precipitate collection container 620through, for example, the screen 624 (illustrated as part of the exitport 626). Based on this disclosure, it should be understood that theconduit 592 (although shown as extending into the cavity 622) mayinstead have a connection point external to the cavity 622 such asthrough a hose connecter or other mechanical engagement. FIG. 12 alsoillustrates a further optional embodiment for the precipitate collectioncontainer 620 where the precipitate collection container includes a lid628 that can be removed so that the collected material can be removedfrom the precipitate collection container 620. FIG. 13 illustratesanother embodiment of the precipitate collection container 620A having abottom 6222A of the cavity 622A with a slight gradient from the inlet621 down towards the exit port 626. FIG. 14 illustrates the embodimentfrom FIG. 13 where the precipitate collection container 620B includesthe addition of a screen projection (or wall) 623 extending from thewall opposite of the inlet 621 into the cavity 622B. The screenprojection 623 although illustrated as extending at an angle, couldinstead be substantially horizontal. The screen projection 623 acts as afurther barrier to the material escaping from the precipitate collectioncontainer 620.

FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative precipitate collection container 620Cthat includes an inlet 621 that can take the forms discussed above forthe inlet. It should be appreciated that additional inlets could beadded to accommodate additional conduits or alternatively the inletcould include a manifold attachment for connection to multiple conduits.The illustrated precipitate collection container 620C further includes alid 628C on which is a riser 626C, which is an example of an exit port,with a screen 624C along its top surface to allow for the flow of waterthrough the precipitate collection container 620C up through the riser626C while the material is collected inside the device. The variousinternal configurations discussed for FIGS. 25-27 could also be presentwithin the precipitate collection container 620C.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a funnel shaped precipitate collectioncontainer 620D with a whirlpool chamber 622D present within it. Like theprevious embodiments, the precipitate collection container 620D includesan inlet 621D for connection to a conduit. It should be appreciated thatadditional inlets could be added to accommodate additional conduits oralternatively the inlet could include a manifold attachment forconnection to multiple conduit. The illustrated precipitate collectioncontainer 620D includes a lid 628D on which a riser 626D extends up fromto allow for the flow of water through the precipitate collectioncontainer 620D while the material is collected inside the device. Thefunnel shape of the cavity 622D with a particulate port 629D extendingfrom the bottom of the cavity 6222D encourages the formation of awhirlpool, which will pull any material present in the cavity 6222D intoa downward flow to drain out the particulate port into another cavity orout of the environment in which the system is running. In a furtherembodiment, the particulate port 629D includes a valve that can be opento drain any material that has collected in the cavity 6222D as part ofa flush operation using the water present in the system to flush thematerial out of the particulate port 629D. In at least one embodiment,the particulate port 629D is designed to pass through the bottom of acontainer. In a further embodiment, there are multiple inlets and risersevenly spaced about the cover in an alternating pattern. In a stillfurther embodiment, the inlets and/or risers are angled relative to thecover. FIGS. 16A and 16B also illustrate an alternative embodiment ofthe precipitate collection container 620D having a plurality of legs627D to in part stabilize the precipitate collection container 620Dagainst a surface.

In a further embodiment to the above precipitate collection containerembodiments, a diffuser in fluid communication with the conduit ispresent within the cavity to spread the water and material coming intothe cavity out from any direct stream of water and/or material thatmight otherwise exist. Examples of a diffuser are a structure thatexpands out from its input side to its output side, mesh or other largeopening screen, and steel wool or other similar material with largepores.

In a further embodiment, the precipitate collection container would bereplaced by a low flow zone formed in the environment from which thewater is being pulled, for example a water tank.

FIGS. 17A-17C provide an illustration of a wing shim for use in thepreviously described embodiments or for use in water treatment systems.The illustrated wing shim includes a plurality of spacers 272N and ahexagonal support member 276M connecting them and providing alignment ofthe spacers 272N relative to the support member 276M and the disk 260N.The spacers 272N include a hexagonal opening passing through it to allowit to slide over the support member 276N. The disks 260N include aplurality of hexagonal openings 2602N. The support members 276N extendbetween the top and lower rotors and in at least one embodiment areattached to the rotors using screws or bolts. Based on this disclosure,one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cross-sectionof the support members may take different forms while still providingfor alignment of the spacers 272N relative to the disks 260N based onthe interplay of the openings and the cross-section of the supportmember.

In a further embodiment to at least one of the previously describedembodiments or for use in water treatment systems, the disk-pack turbineincludes a plurality of disks having waveforms present on them asillustrated in FIGS. 18A-19E. Although the illustrated waveforms areeither concentric circles (FIGS. 18A and 18B) or biaxial (FIGS.19A-19E), it should be understood that the waveforms could also besinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series of interconnected scallopshapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms, hyperbolic, and/ormulti-axial including combinations of these that when rotated provideprogressive, disk channels with the waveforms being substantiallycentered about an expansion chamber. The shape of the individual disksdefines the waveform, and one approach to creating these waveforms is tostamp the metal used to manufacture the disks to provide the desiredshapes. Other examples of manufacture include machining, casting (coldor hot), injection molding, molded and centered, and/or electroplatingof plastic disks of the individual disks. The illustrated waveform disksinclude a flange 2608, which may be omitted depending on the presenceand/or the location of the wing shims, around their perimeter to providea point of connection for wing shims 270 used to construct theparticular disk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment, the wing shims270 are located around and proximate to the expansion chamber in thedisk turbine. In a further embodiment, the wing shims are omitted andreplaced by, for example, stamped (or manufactured, molded or casted)features that provide a profile axially and/or peripherally forattachment to a neighboring disk or rotor.

In a variety of embodiments the disks have a thickness less than fivemillimeters, less than four millimeters, less than three millimeters,less than and/or equal to two millimeters, and less than and/or equal toone millimeter with the height of the disk chambers depending on theembodiment having approximately 1.3 mm, between 1.3 mm to 2.5 mm, ofless than or at least 1.7 mm, between 1.0 mm and 1.8 mm, between 2.0 mmand 2.7 mm, approximately 2.3 mm, above 2.5 mm, and above at least 2.7mm. Based on this disclosure it should be understood that a variety ofother disk thickness and/or disk chamber heights are possible whilestill allowing for assembly of a disk-pack turbine for use in theillustrated systems and disk-pack turbines. In at least one embodiment,the height of the disk chambers is not uniform between two neighboringnested waveform disks. In a still further embodiment, the disk chamberheight is variable during operation when the wing shims are locatedproximate to the center openings resulting, for example, from vibrationin at least one embodiment.

FIGS. 18A-19E illustrate respective disk-pack turbines 250X, 250Y thatinclude an upper rotor 264X and a lower rotor 268X that have asubstantially flat engagement surface (other than the expansion chamberelements) facing the area where the disks 260X, 260Y are present. In analternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19E, the disk-pack turbineincludes an upper rotor 264Y and a lower rotor 268Y with open areasbetween their periphery and the expansion chamber features to allow thewaveforms to flow into the rotor cavity and thus allow for more disks tobe stacked resulting in a higher density of waveform disks for thedisk-pack turbine height with the omission of substantially flat disks260 that are illustrated as being covers over the open areas of therotors 264Y, 268Y. FIG. 19E also illustrates an alternative embodimentwhere there is a mixture of substantially flat disks 260 and nestedwaveform disks 260Y. FIGS. 18A-19E illustrate how the waveforms includedescending thickness waves in each lower disk. In at least oneembodiment, the waveforms are shallow enough to allow substantially thesame sized waveforms on neighboring disks.

FIG. 18A illustrates a side view of an example of the circular waveformdisk-pack turbine 250X. FIG. 18B illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of the disk-pack turbine 250X and shows a view of the disks260X. Each circle waveform is centered about the expansion chamber 252X.The illustrated circle waveforms include two ridges 2603X and threevalleys 2604X. Based on this disclosure, it should be appreciated thatthe number of ridges and valleys could be reversed along with be anynumber greater than one limited by their radial depth and the distancebetween the expansion chamber 250X and the flange 2608.

FIG. 19A illustrates a top view of a disk-pack turbine 250Y without thetop rotor 264X to illustrate the biaxial waveform 2602Y, while FIGS.19B-19E provide additional views of the disk-pack turbine 250Y. FIGS.19A-19E provide an illustration of the waveforms rising above the diskwhile not dropping below the surface (or vice versa in an alternativeembodiment). The illustrated biaxial waveform 2602Y that is illustratedas including two ridges 2603Y and one valley 2604Y centered about theexpansion chamber 252Y. Based on this disclosure, it should beappreciated that the number of ridges and valleys could be reversedalong with be any number greater than one limited by their radial depthand the distance between the expansion chamber 252Y and the flange 2608.FIG. 19B illustrates a side view of three waveform disks 260Y stackedtogether without the presence of wing shims 270 or the rotors 264X,268X. FIG. 19C illustrates a partial cross-section of the disk-packturbine 250Y. FIG. 19D illustrates a side view of the assembleddisk-pack turbine 250Y. FIG. 19E illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of the disk-pack turbine 250X and shows a view of the disks260Y.

A prototype using a discharge outlet built according to at least oneembodiment of the invention as described in this patent application wasplaced into a tank having a capacity of at least 100 gallons andsubstantially filled to capacity with water, which caused the system tobe completely submerged in water. The system was started up withsubmerged lights placed around and aimed at the discharge port tocapture the images depicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B, which are bothenlarged to the same amount and have light coming from the right side ofthe image. These images were captured from a slow-motion video takenwith a macro lens. FIG. 20A shows the relative size of the vorticalsolitons that were discharged from the discharge outlet relative in sizeto an adult male's fingers. The vortical solitons spin and rotate abouttheir centers as they move up and down within the water. The vorticalsolitons appear to be substantially flat vortex disc that are spinningand moving based on the captured video as represented in the imagesdepicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B. The images include countless pairs ofvortical solitons that upon discharge from the discharge outlet 232wholly saturate the water within a contained environment with eachsoliton persisting until its energy is discharged via contact with asolid boundary or an obstruction. Although the water is saturated withthese vortical packets of rotating energy, each maintains a relativedistance of separation from its other soliton in the pair withoutcollision with the other soliton. From review of the video, it appearsthat the soliton pairs move in complete lockstep with each other as theyprogress through the water environment while turning and spinning. It isbelieved that this restructuring of the water allows in part for it toimpact the larger volume of water in which the system runs, becausethese vortical solitons will continue on their respective paths untilinterfered with by another object such as the wall of the container orother structural feature.

It should be noted that the present invention may, however, be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments and prototype examples set forth herein; rather, theembodiments set forth herein are provided so that the disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings illustrateembodiment and prototype examples of the invention.

As used above “substantially,” “generally,” and other words of degreeare relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation fromthe characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to theabsolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessingmore of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, andpreferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functionalcharacteristic. “Substantially” also is used to reflect the existence ofmanufacturing tolerances that exist for manufacturing components.

The foregoing description describes different components of embodimentsbeing “in fluid communication” to other components. “In fluidcommunication” includes the ability for fluid to travel from onecomponent/chamber to another component/chamber.

Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the use of “same”, “identical” and other similar wordsare inclusive of differences that would arise during manufacturing toreflect typical tolerances for goods of this type.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the exemplary and alternative embodiments describedabove can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

I claim:
 1. A system for attaching to a device having an accumulationchamber with at least one discharge port and a disk-pack such that afluid pathway exists from a center of the disk-pack through thedisk-pack into the accumulation chamber and out the at least onedischarge port, said system comprising: a connection member having apassageway capable of being in fluid communication with the dischargeport, a discharge module having a discharge chamber in fluidcommunication with said passageway, and a particulate discharge port influid communication with said discharge chamber.
 2. The system accordingto claim 1, further comprising a second discharge module configured toattach to a top of said discharge module, and said second dischargemodel having a second discharge chamber in fluid communication with saiddischarge chamber, and a discharge outlet in fluid communication withsaid second discharge chamber.
 3. The system according to claim 2,wherein said second discharge module rises above a height of theattached device.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein saiddischarge module includes at least one spiraling protrusion along asurface of said discharge chamber running from proximate to a junctionof said passageway and said discharge chamber.
 5. The system accordingto claim 4, wherein said spiraling protrusion runs in an upwardlydirection towards the discharge outlet.
 6. The system according to claim5, further comprising a second discharge module having a seconddischarge chamber in fluid communication with said discharge chamber,and wherein said spiraling protrusion runs along a surface of saidsecond discharge chamber.
 7. The system according to claim 5, whereinsaid at least one spiraling protrusion includes a second spiralingprotrusion that runs in a downwardly direction from proximate to saidjunction towards said particulate discharge port.
 8. The systemaccording to claim 4, wherein at least one of said at least onespiraling protrusion spirals in a counterclockwise direction when viewedfrom above.
 9. The system according to claim 4, wherein at least one ofsaid at least one spiraling protrusion spirals in a clockwise directionwhen viewed from above.
 10. The system according to claim 1, whereinsaid connection member is adapted to attach to the device to provide asmooth fluid flow from the discharge port to said passageway.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 1, further comprising a supplementary inletcapable of attaching to a second discharge port of the device, saidsupplementary inlet includes an inlet passageway, and a valve withinsaid inlet passageway to control a flow of fluid through said inletpassageway.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein saidsupplementary inlet includes an electrically controlled valve.
 13. Adisk-pack turbine comprising: a top rotor having an axially centeredopening passing therethrough, a plurality of disks having asubstantially even thickness throughout that is less than 5 mm and atleast two waveforms present on each disk, each disk having an axiallycentered opening passing therethrough, a bottom rotor axially centeredwith said top rotor and said plurality of disks, and a plurality ofconnection components connecting said top rotor, said plurality of disksand said bottom rotor, said connection components are evenly spacedaround an outer edge of said disks.
 14. The disk-pack turbine accordingto claim 13, wherein each of said disks is stamped metal.
 15. Thedisk-pack turbine according to claim 13, wherein each of said oneconnection components includes a plurality of spacers each having ahexagonal opening passing therethrough, and a support member having ahexagonal cross-section that passes through a respective hexagonalopening present in each disk and at least one spacer between neighboringdisks such that along said support member there is a stack of saidspacers and said disks.
 16. The disk-pack turbine according to claim 13,wherein said at least two waveforms are selected from a group consistingof circular, sinusoidal, biaxial, biaxial sinucircular, a series ofinterconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms,hyperbolic, and multi-axial including combinations of these.
 17. Thedisk-pack turbine according to claim 13, wherein said at least twowaveforms are formed by a plurality of features selected from a groupconsisting of ridges, grooves, and depressions in the waveform surfaceincluding the features having different heights and/or depths comparedto other features and/or along the individual features.
 18. Thedisk-pack turbine according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of disksdefine at least one disk chamber configured to provide a pathway forfluid to flow from said axially centered opening to a periphery of saiddisks.
 19. The disk-pack turbine according to claim 13, wherein saidplurality of openings defines an expansion chamber.
 20. The disk-packturbine according to claim 13, wherein said top rotor is capable offluid engagement or communication with a vortex chamber of a device intowhich the disk-pack turbine is installed.